The Daily Scoop

MLSU Power Rankings

by MLS Underground - August 15, 2007

This week's league ladder sees plenty of movement, with FC Dallas replacing weekend hosts Houston at the top.

Week 20

#1 FC Dallas (+1) - An important victory at home over Columbus pushes the Hoops to the top of the rankings. Defender Clarence Goodson has significantly stepped up his play on the field and may just be the most underrated player in the league.

#2 DC United (+1) - A packed RFK Stadium saw DC knock the Beckham boys. United now travels to Cali to face the Galaxy once again, this time in the SuperLiga semifinals. United have played two less games than East leading New England, so the standings could tighten up even more in the coming weeks.

#3 New England Revolution (+1) - East leaders New England heads for the road with games at Colorado and Kansas City later this week. With four or more points in these two games, the Revs would be the first MLS club to cross 40 points this season.

#4 Houston Dynamo (-3) - The Dynamo are on a three-game losing streak after dropping a heartbreaker to Mexican club Pachuca in the SuperLiga semifinals. Injuries to Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden have really taken their toll. Unfortunately for Houston, a huge game on Sunday with FC Dallas is on the docket.

The champs are fading without Clark in the middle. (photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty)

▪ Núñez On Block to Chivas USA

▪ Pachuca Through on Penalties

▪ From the Bleachers

#5 Kansas City Wizards (Unchanged) - The Wizards were off last week, but host New England in an important game on Sunday. Curt Onalfo's boys are in the thick of the playoff race. Can Eddie Johnson play strong down the stretch and become a true leader for this team?

#6 Chivas USA (Unchanged) - The Goats head to Toronto for their first experience at BMO Field. Next week will be busy for Jonathan Bornstein as he is expected to play a significant role in the United States friendly in Sweden on Tuesday and then fly back to LA for a derby with Chivas USA. The Goats have played three less games than Dallas and four less than Houston, so they are very much in the thick of things.

#7 New York Red Bulls (+1) - The Red Bulls took a step in the right direction after a 3-0 destruction of Toronto. Most important for New York was the good chemistry between Jozy Altidore and Juan Pablo Angel, who combined for all three goals. The most attended MLS regular season game of the year will happen Saturday when David Beckham and Los Angeles meet up with the Red Bulls in the swamp.

#8 Columbus Crew (-1) - The Crew played well against FC Dallas, but Clarence Goodson's late header was the difference. Columbus hosts DC on the weekend. It is a game which could show if the Crew are contenders or pretenders.

#9 Chicago Fire (Unchanged) - The Fire start six points outside of the playoffs as we enter the 20th week of the MLS season. The Fire travel to face Real Salt Lake, a very winnable game. Blanco has looked impressive in limited minutes, but can he get the job done over a series of games?

#10 Los Angeles Galaxy (Unchanged) - Will he or will he not play? That is the question people are asking around the league. Beckham's presence on the field made the Galaxy a much more organized team in the game at DC last week. How much of an impact will he have this time around?

#11 Toronto FC (Unchanged) - Mo Johnston has done a commendable job of making Toronto competitive in their first season. However, the injuries have decimated the club enough where Johnston has to realize that it is time to focus on 2008.

#12 Colorado Rapids (+1) - A Dwayne De Rosario own goal gave the Rapids their first victory in many weeks. The victory also gave the club some life as they now only sit five points outside a playoff spot. I just have a feeling this is as close as Colorado will get to a playoff spot the rest of the season.

#13 Real Salt Lake (-1) - Though mathematically still in the race, there are just not enough games for RSL to earn themselves a playoff spot. Robbie Findley's continued success up top is a bright spot coach Jason Kreis can build on.

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